Insiders: Residents Discuss Their Communities

Below, a sampling of longtime Centreville residents explain what makes their, particular community — and Centreville, in general — special. They also note some can’t-miss places and events in the area and advise newcomers on how to get involved here.

&lt;b&gt;SUPERVISOR MICHAEL FREY

&lt;/b&gt;Supervisor Michael R. Frey (R-Sully) has lived in the London Commons community for 26 years.

“I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s a close-knit community and the people support each other. In Centreville, the social groups all work together — the various PTAs and churches — and it’s been fun to see those things grow as the population grows.

“We have Hindu and Buddhist temples and, lately, we’ve seen the Korean community grow. The area’s changed tremendously since I’ve moved here, but we have great organizations, like SYA and CYA, and a wonderful Scouting community — both Boy and Girl Scouts.

“We also have support services from the county and from social-service providers. So people can get involved in the community, any number of ways — through the youth sports clubs, SYA and CYA, plus churches and nonprofits like WFCM and FACETS — groups that provide for those that are struggling.

“We’ve got a fabulous facility at Westfields, with the Westfields Marriott Conference Center and the Westfields Golf Course. The Centreville Historic District has some great sights, as does Bull Run Regional Park. We’re also close to the Manassas National Battlefield Park and, for travel, we’re near Dulles airport.

“Centreville was recently named the 30th best community to live in, in the country, by ‘Money’ magazine, so it’s nice to see others are finally recognizing what a fabulous place Centreville is.”

&lt;b&gt;BARB SHAIKO

&lt;/b&gt;Barb Shaiko has been a Virginia Run resident since 1980.

“Virginia Run is an attractive, well-maintained community with nice neighbors.

“I like Centreville’s diversity. I think we’re a richer community with all the different cultures in it. It’s such an advantage to be exposed to so many, different people, ideas and customs — not to mention all the good restaurants you get when you have these cultures.

“Centreville’s also a good location because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., as well as to the country — more rural areas — beaches and mountains.”

&lt;b&gt;JERRY FOLTZ

&lt;/b&gt;Jerry Foltz is a 14-year resident of Country Club Manor.

“It was the community with the house I could afford when I was coming here to start Wellspring United Church of Christ. It had a nice backyard and room for a garden and was on a fairly quiet street.

“I like it because it’s a safe neighborhood, people are friendly and it’s well-kept-up. It’s accessible to I-66, shopping and entertainment. It’s just 20 minutes to the Vienna Metro Station, and Stone Road has grocery stores ad is near the center of Centreville. It’s also not far to go west to the mountains or to other counties, and the Manassas Battlefield and the Manassas campus of NOVA are close.

“I think Centreville has a little more sense of identity than Chantilly. We also have two exits on I-66, and Routes 28 and 29 come together in Centreville at a crossroads. All in all, it’s an excellent place to live.”

&lt;b&gt;CAROL HAWN

&lt;/b&gt;Carol Hawn has lived in Centreville’s Old Mill community for 11 years, moving there from another Centreville community, Singleton’s Grove.

“I like our neighbors in Old Mill. I’ve never had a problem finding somebody who could help, if I needed it. The first day we were here, I locked myself out of my house and knocked on a neighbor’s door to borrow their phone. They also helped when my husband broke his ankle and couldn’t mow the lawn. And this past winter, we all helped each other shovel snow.

“We’re still close enough to Washington, D.C., to take advantage of its benefits. And I think Centreville has a little more of a history than Chantilly. It has an actual Historic District, and Centreville played an integral part in the history of this nation — especially during the Civil War. That’s one thing that sets us apart, and the citizens of Centreville have done a good job honoring that in the work they’ve done expanding the Historic District.”

&lt;b&gt;AL FRANCESE

&lt;/b&gt;Al Francese has lived in Little Rocky Run for 22 years.

“What makes Little Rocky Run special for me is that we’ve raised our kids here. They went to Union Mill Elementary, Liberty Middle School and Centreville High — all in the neighborhood.

“It’s a family-oriented community; kids and parents here have lots of common interests. People in the neighborhood look after each other, and you can rely on them in time of need. It’s a very caring community.

“Since we’re so close to Washington, D.C., we take visitors to sightsee there, as well as to the National Air and Space Museum Annex [Udvar Hazy Center] here. And we love the Town of Clifton and exploring the charming, bucolic environment along the way on Compton Road.

“A lot of our friends are history buffs, so we also take them to the Civil War sites in the Manassas National Battlefield Park. On Clifton Day [each October], we enjoy taking the VRE train from Manassas to the town — it’s not to be missed. We also attend the Fourth of July celebration at Fairfax High School, and also in July, Little Rocky Run has its annual luau for the residents.”